Accompanied by fellow Dromore man Charlie Sherwin who is Verger of Dromore Cathedral, the pair are part of a five strong group who will visit Maridi.

This trip has been in the planning stages for some 18 months - indeed it was supoosed to happen last March but was called off due to safety fears.

Rev Lowry explained how there was trouble in the area, but things now appear a lot calmer.

Asked by the Leader is he had any concerns for his safety during the visit, Rev Lowry said, The place appears calmer and we have been reassured plus we have the confidence in God to protect us."

Rev Lowry explained how the trip to Maridi will give him and Charlie an opportunity to see a place where God is at work in power, transforming many people's lives, renewing communities and helping society recover from years of conflict.

"We will be visiting signs of this growth through schools, clinics, church sites and through meeting individuals who are living by the grace of God.

"We are not going to build a school, we are going to meet people and build up relationships,2 he said.

Rev Lowry explained that he wanted to achieve a number of things from the trip, the main being able to get a personal understanding of what life is like in this area of Sudan.

"I have heard about this place and talked about it for 10 years. Various members of the Parish have been, but I feel I want to see things for myself face to face.

"Secondly when we are there we will be looking out for possible ways in which we help as a Parish in the futre.

"We will be able to identify new projects or support ideas that have previously been started."

Dromore already has a number of links with this region of Sudan, explained Rev Lowry, as some years ago Bishop Justin came to Ireland and visited Dromore High School.

"The school decided to give money to help fund a new school in Amaki some 17 miles north of where I am staying. The school was built seven months after the school's donation and from what I have learned hundreds of children attend this school. I would liek to be able to come back and show the local community in Dromore how their donation has helped these people."

Rev Lowry is hoping to keep a daily blog during his trip from 17th February to 27th February, so the advice is to keep an eye on the Cathedral webpage for updates.

Speaking just days before the trip Rev Lowry said, "As a minister I am very pleased to be going to Sudan to share in the life of a church very different to my own, but at the same time worshipping the same God."

This week's trip will be Charlie Sherwin's first mission experience trip. Having spent many

summers at camp with his beloved Boys' Brigade Charlie will bring many practical skills to help during the trip. Charlie is married to Margaret and works as Verger of Dromore Cathedral of which he is a lifelong member.

(SEE THIS WEEK'S DROMORE LEADER FOR MORE ON THE CATHEDRAL IN 'CHURCH FOCUS')